Cathy Komertz had pretty much accepted that she would never again see her fly-away Amazon parrot, Pete, until an email Saturday renewed her hope.

But that hope has now turned to confusion and anger.

First, the backstory: Pete, a bird Komertz had owned for 22 years, flew out an open window at her city home in October. She at first received phone calls from people who said they had seen the distinctive neon-green bird, but the calls eventually tapered off. "I got this email from a guy in Albany saying his friend had found Pete and he would sell him back to me for $400," Komertz said.

That was odd because Komertz had publicly announced a $1,000 reward for his safe return. But the slim hope that Pete may be alive overwhelmed her.

She set up a meeting for later that day at a McKinley Street home in Albany. Komertz said she took a couple of Albany police officers with her because she was wary of dealing with the stranger alone.

"He said to meet him at the house of the guy who had Pete and give him half the amount in cash only and he would go inside and get the bird and then I could give him the remainder when he gives me Pete," Komertz said.

When Komertz and the police got there, the man said the guy with the bird was called away and told her to come back later Saturday night. She again returned, accompanied by officers, but the house was dark and no one answered the door.

"At that point, I felt I'd been had and I could not believe someone would put me through such a thing," Komertz said. "I'm heartbroken and extremely angry at the same time."

Then on Sunday, she received another email. This one said that because she had gotten the police involved, Pete would be sold to someone else on Tuesday. "I don't know what to think or do now," Komertz said. "Does he have my bird? Is he a thief? The police don't seem to be too eager to help."

Officer Steve Smith, spokesman for the Albany police, said on Tuesday that he was unaware of the incidents and would look into the matter.

Komertz wants anyone who knows of Pete's whereabouts to call her anytime at 258-4381.

Pete's opened cage is still in Komertz's back yard in case he returns.